The Costs and Benefits of Using Different Energy Sources

In this slideshow... We will examine the following sources of energy: Natural gas Nuclear energy Wind power Hydroelectric power Biodiesel

Energy Sources There are a variety of ways to make electricity. Ontario uses several different methods of making power. Our biggest source of electricity is Nuclear Power.

Ontario’s Power Generation Coal is still the cheapest way to make electricity. But it’s horribly dirty and bad for the planet. Ontario was getting rid of all their coal power plants. Cancelling that plan only cost the province over $1 billion.

Natural Gas

Burning natural gas is cleaner than burning coal or oil, but it still emits GHGs. People use natural gas all across Ontario to heat their houses, run their ovens and clothes dryers. Natural gas typically accumulates on top of oil deposits in the ground.

The drilling for natural gas still destroys wildlife habitats and ecosystems.

Natural gas is not a renewable resource As it becomes harder to find, it will become more expensive.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy Benefits Canada is the world’s largest uranium producer. Our mines (mostly in Northern Saskatchewan) produce 20.5% of the world’s uranium. Canada stands to make a lot of money from nuclear power.

Nuclear energy is cleaner than some other sources. It does not emit GHGs or create smog.

Nuclear Energy Cons Nuclear power plants are very expensive to build and maintain. Uranium mining is terrible for the local environment. Unlikely, but possible, nuclear fallout. Problems with uranium extraction.

Uranium Extraction Uranium is mixed with all kinds of other minerals when it is in the ground. It needs to be mixed with an acid or alkaline solution in order for the uranium to be removed. A great deal of fresh water is used in this process, and the contaminated water is stored in giant ponds called “tailings”

Tailing Ponds

Tailings The tailings contain radioactive elements and are extremely toxic to all life forms. Tailings must be managed very carefully. The radioactive elements will not break down for millions of years. These ponds will keep getting bigger and will not go away.

These are basically lakes of radioactive water that will just sit there for an extremely long time! Canada now has enough water in tailing ponds to fill the Rogers Centre over 100 times.

Dangers of Tailings It is nearly impossible to keep all of the radioactive elements contained in the ponds. They seep out and get into the ground water. Humans and wildlife in the affected areas are drinking contaminated water, and if they consume animals from that area, then they are eating radioactive waste as well.

Poisonous radon gas is emitted into the atmosphere from these tailing ponds which increases the cancer rates in the surrounding region. Radiation is also emitted from the ponds into the surrounding areas increasing health risks for those living nearby.

Wind Power

Wind Power Benefits Wind is a renewable energy source. Its environmental impact is small. Does not require much land. Cheaper to maintain.

Wind Power Cons Sometimes people in the area don`t want to live near the windmills. Some are concerned about the sound. Others are concerned about unproven health implications of living near windmills.

Some people are concerned that this might happen (though it`s extremely rare):

Nordtank (Vestas) wind system fail

Hydroelectric Dams

Dams Dams vary in size.

Not all dams are used for hydroelectric power Not all dams are used for hydroelectric power. Many are used just to control flooding in populated areas. These are called “weirs”.

Hydroelectric Power Benefits Does not produce GHGs. Inexpensive to maintain after being built. A renewable source of energy.

Hydroelectric Power Cons Negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and riverbank ecosystems. A large section of woodland is flooded. Very high start-up cost. Negative impacts on human populations. Sometimes people have to move when a dam is built.

Dams can seriously alter the landscape of a region Dams can seriously alter the landscape of a region. The lakes (called reservoirs) in these pictures are human-made.

Negatively impacts water quality. Silt from churned up water can flow downstream and change the river. Dangerous natural minerals in the soil, such as mercury, get into the water system after a dam is built.

Dams Dams can prevent fish from swimming upstream to their spawning areas.

There are also some pretty interesting dam designs out there.

Hydroelectric Power In some very rare cases, dams are being removed and the river ecosystems are being restored to its natural state. Check it out in this next video.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Biodiesel is a type of fuel that is made from plant and animal oils, recycled plant and animal oils, or algae. Through a chemical process, the glycerin is separated from the fat in the oil. The glycerin doesn’t even need to be wasted - it can be turned into soap!

Biodiesel Benefits Biodiesel can be made from recycling cooking oil that would have gone to landfills. The burning of biodiesel is cleaner than regular diesel or gasoline. It produces lower GHGs.

Biodiesel Cons There are limits to the amount of recyclable vegetable oil available. If it is widely used, then farms would have to be diverted away from food production to make fuel. This could cause food shortages.